Spring-heel for boots and shoes



(No Model.) I

G. E. SWAN.

SPRING HEEL FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

No. 288,274. Patented Nov. 13,1883.

H. PETERS PhMwl-iiwgrmplwr. Walhinglon, 0.1:-

heel, as shown in the drawings.

'NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SPRING-HEEL Foe BOOTS ANDISHOE'S.

srncrr'xonrron forming part of Letters Patent No. 288,274, dated November 13, 1883.

Application filed August 30, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE E. Swan, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Beaver Dam, in the county of Dodge and State of Visconsin, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Springs for Boots and Shoes, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to springs used on the heels of boots and shoes; and it consists in certain improvements in the construction and manner of attaching and protecting such springs, as hereinafter fully set forth.

In the drawings, Figure lis a side view of the spring attached to a boot or shoe heel. Fig. 2 is. a bottom plan of the heel with two springs attached. 'Fig. 3 is a vertical section on line a: a; of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is, a plan of the spring detached. Fig. 5 is a bottom plan of a heel having four springs attached.

A represents a coil-spring formed of steel wire or flat steel, which spring is secured to the outer vertical surface of a heel, B, by means of a staple, (I, inserted over a strand of the spring, near its center, into the side of the These springs are fastened to the heels in position for the parts a to extend downward below the lineof the bottom of the heel, as shown in the drawings. The springs are made preferably of steel wire, but may be made of flat steel of the suitable size and strength. Usuallytwo of the springs are attached to a heel, one on each side, as seen in Fig. 3; but a greater number may be used, as seen in Fig. 4. Plates 0, of the requisite size and construction to-form guards tothe springs, are secured to the heel over the springs, as shown in the drawings. The functions of these springs are similar to those heretofore used for the same purpose,

the advantages of the invention consisting, mostly, in the fact that my springs are more simple in their construction and manner of attachment, requiring no recesses in the heels, and hence they are less expensive than those heretofore in use.

In regard to the functions or operation of my improved springs, it may be stated that inwalking upon a pavement, for example, in boots or shoes provided with the springs, it is evident. that the downwardly-extended portion 0 will strike the pavement before the bottom of the heel will strike, and the yielding of these elastic hearings will lessen the jar upon the feet and legs of the walker, and the upward and forward movements of the feet and legs, required in the act of walking, will be aided by the force of the springs.

I am aware that coil-springs and various other kinds of springs have been used on the heels of boots and shoes; butI am not aware of any springs being attached to the vertical surface of the heels, so as to dispense with recesses therein, and having the downwardlyextended elastic bearings, as herein set forth.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The heel of a boot or shoe provided with springs attached to the vertical surface of the heel, and extended downward, forming elastic bearings below the line of the bottom of the heel, substantially as and for the purposes de scribed. t 2. The coil-springs A, attached to the vertical surface of the heel B, and having the lower part, 0, extended downward below the line of the bottom of the heel, substantially as and for the purposes described.

3. The coil-springs A, attached to the vertical surface of the heel B, and having the downwardly-extended part c, in combination 7 with the guard plates 0, fastened over the springs, substantially as and for the purposes described. I

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I GEORGE E. SVAN.

Witnesses: I

GUSTAV Zrnsnn, EDWARD ELwELn, 

